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New Zealand inflicted a 30-15 defeat on the British and Irish Lions that leaves Warren Gatland’s side needing to win the second Test in Wellington next Saturday.
However, they will head to the capital city on the back of scoring one of the greatest tries in Lions history, and the margin of defeat was not really representable of the gruelling encounter that unfolded at Eden Park.
The All Blacks went ahead through a Beauden Barrett penalty before Codie Taylor smartly stayed out wide to score in the corner, with Elliot Daly caught out of place off a quick-tap penalty.
Show all 30 1 /30All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Ben Smith – 5 out of 10 Failed to take a high ball early in the game although he offering a useful option in the back line. Took a blow to the head in the 27th minute though and did not return from the HIA.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Israel Dagg – 7 out of 10 Brilliant tackle to stop Elliot Daly form scoring in the opening two minutes. Gave the All Blacks a useful kicking option, though struggled with the high ball and pace coming his way. Delivered the final pass for Codie Taylor to charge over.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Ryan Crotty – 6 out of 10 Suffered an ankle injury just after the half an hour mark and was forced off as a result, with Anto Lienert-Brown replacing him.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Sonny Bill Williams – 7 out of 10 Given a bashing by old rival Ben Te’o but refused to be second best in their titanic battle. Rarely hit backwards, and while his offloading was not at its most punishing, he still brought an impact that caught out the Lions.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Rieko Ioane – 8 out of 10 His pace is giving the Lions’ back three plenty of nightmares on this tour. Having already scored for the Blues against them, he added two more tries and justified Steve Hansen’s faith in him. His speed got him over for the first and it was his awareness that bagged the second.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Beauden Barrett – 8 out of 10 100 per cent with the boot, which has not been a common theme to his goal-kicking this season, but it was his calmness under pressure and brilliant hands that really shone through. Shifted to full-back when Ben Smith was forced off and could not be faulted.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Aaron Smith – 8 out of 10 Very lively and his pace at the breakdown caused the Lions all sorts of problems. Aware to make the most of quick penalty that led to Codie Taylor’s opening score. Supported Kieran Read to start the move that brought the second try, and took his leave immediately after to deserved applause.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Joe Moody – 7 out of 10 Didn’t crack under pressure and once again enjoyed a back-and-forth battle with Tadhg Furlong as they did in the Crusaders game.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Owen Franks – 7 out of 10 Sturdy in the scrum but guilty of giving away three points when he needlessly took out Conor Murray. Saw off Mako Vunipola before departing two minutes afterwards.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Codie Taylor – 8 out of 10 Superb pick-up from Dagg’s long pass to beat Daly on the edge and score in the corner, showing the awareness and speed of a back. Brought stability to the scrum and was reliable throwing into the lineout.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Brodie Retallick – 8 out of 10 Powerful running was a key reason why the All Blacks were able to get forward momentum so easily. He repeatedly either broke through tackles or freed his hands to offload in contact.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Sam Whitelock – 7 out of 10 Ran the All Blacks lineout well that only faltered when Maro Itoje was able to pluck the ball on the Lions’ five metre line. Strong supporting lines saw him receive a couple of offloads in space.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Jerome Kaino – 7 out of 10 Showing no signs of the knee injury that threatened his participation in this series, though Steve Hansen looked to safe him by bringing him off early.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Sam Cane – 8 out of 10 Important turnover when the Lions claimed a loose ball as he controlled the breakdown, either slowing down the Lions’ ball or stealing it completely.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Kieran Read – 9 out of 10 Emphatic return as he made mincemeat of the Lions defensive line in the lead up to the penalty that produced the try. Showed his talent for offloading in the tackle, but stepped too easily by Liam Williams that led to the Lions first-half score. More than made up for it with a genius flick off the turf to Aaron Smith that set-up Ioane for his first try, and given a standing ovation when he was removed in the final minutes.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Liam Williams – 8 out of 10 Justified Warren Gatland’s faith in him with a break from his own 22 that triggered one of the all-time great Lions tries. Looked to run with the ball in hand and excelled with Daly on the left, with the pair linking up again shortly after the break with a move that should have brought a try. Unfortunate error when he failed to catch the ball gifted Ioane his second try.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Anthony Watson – 7 out of 10 Impressive take under pressure in his 22 to call the mark, and did well to sprint back to prevent Aaron Smith’s try from finding touch, before feeding Williams to launch the move that led to the Sean O’Brien try. Had two notable runs, the first seeing him beat four men with good feetwork.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Jonathan Davies – 8 out of 10 Early break exposed the lack of game time that Williams and Crotty have had together and nearly produced a try for Elliot Daly in the corner. Ran smart supporting lines off Daly and Williams that brought success and had one powerful run through the defence right through the defence.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Ben Te’o – 8 out of 10 Battered Sonny Bill Williams as they renewed their old rugby league rivalry. Wasn’t given as much of a chance to run with the ball, but justified his Test selection.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Elliot Daly – 7 out of 10 Did extremely well to remain in play as he went for the corner in the second minute, but an exceptional tackle from Dagg prevented him from grounding the ball. Showed his speed when he surged away during O’Brien’s try, but out-gassed by Ioane for his second score.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Owen Farrell – 6 out of 10 Missed a conversion that by his standards he would expect to get, though it wasn’t an easy one. Struggled to bring the forward runners into the game around him and the move out to inside centre didn’t help his cause.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Conor Murray – 7 out of 10 As usual his box-kicking was spot-on that gave Daly and Watson the chance to compete for the ball with success. Uncharacteristically lost control of the ball when the Lions were camped on the All Blacks line.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Mako Vunipola – 7 out of 10 Couldn’t work an advantage in the scrum against Franks, though they largely proved equals for each other. Had to put in his fair share of tackling but carrying could have offered more.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Jamie George – 7 out of 10 Reliable at lineout time but will not have enjoyed being shoved backwards in the scrum again before the second try.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Tadhg Furlong – 8 out of 10 Good start in the loose as he made emphatic tackles and a good charge down.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Alun Wyn Jones – 5 out of 10 Terrible start as he looked off the pace. Struggled to get back into the defensive line, and he conceded the penalty that led to Taylor’s try. As the game wore on he started to find his feet, claiming lineout ball and also stealing a loose ball, but will be in danger of losing his place next week.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings George Kruis – 6 out of 10 The lineout functioned well bar one steal, and his carrying was good apart from one strip in contact by Cane.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Peter O’Mahony – 6 out of 10 Put in another physical display but couldn’t get his mischievous work in the lineout functioning. Replaced by tour captain Sam Warburton midway through the second half and could see that switch made permanently in the second Test.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Sean O’Brien – 8 out of 10 Had the simple task of falling over the line to finish one of the all-time great tries, though he should be commended for being in position to take Davies’ offload. Did his utmost best to compete in the breakdown, but the All Blacks proved too quick for him to get his hands on the ball.
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All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions first Test player ratings Taulupe Faletau – 7 out of 10 Put in some strong carries and did a fair share of the tackling in what was his best showing since the opening Test.
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The Lions hit back in style, though, as a move triggered inside their own 22 by Anthony Watson and Liam Williams led to the ball being passed wide to Elliot Daly, inside to Jonathan Davies and eventually to Sean O’Brien to touch down.
But there would be no stopping the All Blacks as they added a further two tries through Rieko Ioane in what was his first start for his country, with two costly errors by the Lions gifting the wing the chance to claim a double at his home ground.
The Lions added a late consolation through replacement scrum-half Rhys Webb, but it proved to be too little too late as the All Blacks claimed an early advantage,
The Lions now head to Wellington on Sunday where they will prepare for Tuesday’s final mid-week game against the Hurricanes, before remaining in the capital for the second Test next Saturday.
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